[Federal Register: March 26, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 58)]
[Notices]
[Page 14439]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26mr97_dat-105]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession
of the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
AGENCY: National Park Service
ACTION: Notice
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Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(2), of the intent to
repatriate cultural items in the possession of the Arizona State Museum
which meet the definition of ``object of cultural patrimony'' under
Section 2 of the Act.
The cultural items consist of two Kehtahn Yelte, or Twin Fetishes.
The fetishes are made of two stones wrapped with yarn.
Prior to 1942, one Kehtahn Yelte was collected by Mary Cabot
Wheelwright and donated to the Arizona State Museum in December, 1942.
Also prior to 1942, the second Kehtahn Yelte was collected by Mrs.
Margaret Scheville and donated to the Arizona State Museum in April,
1942. The only other accession information is that the cultural items
are Navajo.
These Kehtahn Yelte are used in several Navajo ceremonies,
including Tl'ee'ji (Night Way), Dzilk'ji (Mountain Top Way), and Hozhoo
ji (Blessing Way). Consultation evidence provided by representatives of
the Navajo Nation indicates the Kehtahn Yelte should never be taken
outside the four mountains of the Dinetah, nor can they be ``owned'' by
any individual who is not a chanter.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Arizona
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D),
these two cultural items have ongoing historical, traditional, and
cultural importance central to the culture itself, and could not have
been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual. Further,
officials of the Arizona State Museum have also determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group
identity which can be reasonably traced between these items and the
Navajo Nation.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Navajo Nation.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Dr. Nancy
Odegaard, Conservator and Acting Curatory of Collections, Arizona State
Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721; telephone (520) 621-
6314 before April 25, 1997. Repatriation of these objects to the Navajo
Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come
forward.
Dated: March 11, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-7599 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
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